We all remember March 2020. Operating in a pandemic was nerve-wracking for everyone. But remote work made it possible. By May 2020, 1/3 of employees were working remotely.
Two years later, many workers are back in the office. But a time that was fraught with uncertainty likely brought some unexpected happiness to your employees. They realized they enjoy their flexibility. Working remotely allowed them to thrive! It’s no wonder that 83% of employees prefer the hybrid model in 2022.
In today’s work environment, hybrid offices allow employers to give the best of both worlds to their employees. Workers have increased flexibility to work from home. Yet, they still get necessary in-person office time for collaboration. If you haven’t considered a hybrid model yet, it’s not too late.
What is Driving the Hybrid Work Model?
Employers originally thought their "back to the office" announcement would be a simple company-wide email. But the workforce had other ideas. A recent poll indicates that 53% of the workforce expects a hybrid arrangement at work.
Essentially, employees want options. Hybrid work is no longer a perk, but an expectation from many. Think about it from the employee’s perspective. They just worked remotely without problems for over a year. So why shouldn’t they still have the option to work remotely some of the time?
The hybrid work model is a solution to part-time remote work and part-time office life. Not only that, but the model can also reap some significant benefits for culture, retention, and profits.
Benefits of Hybrid Work Model
There are major benefits to implementing the hybrid model. Check out how these benefits can help your entire business model and talent thrive.
- Retain Employees
Professionals want and expect hybrid work. And employers have taken notice. Up to 56% of employers are worried that they’ll lose talent if they don’t provide an optimal hybrid experience. When employees and freelancers feel empowered due to their newfound agency, they may look elsewhere if they feel bogged down in the office too much.
To keep professionals around, employers need to focus not only on creating a hybrid work model. But create a hybrid model around a rich and positive work culture. Employers can do this by committing to internal promotions and professional development and by offering excellent benefit packages.
- Cut Down On Commute Time
No one likes sitting in traffic. But making your team do so every day could be a dealbreaker for them. Avoiding commute time was cited as the number 1 reason that employees wanted a hybrid work model. While your team worked fully remote, they spent time with family, cooked dinner, or relaxed during their usual commute time. Going back to commuting every day isn’t ideal. Easily make your team happier by reducing the amount of time they must commute each week.
- Save Money
Inflation is at an all-time high right now. If you’re feeling the pain in your wallet when balancing your company’s budget, you can bet your employees and freelancers are too. Remote flexibility allows them to save on fuel costs, food, and new business casual clothes. Companies will save money too. Office supplies, utilities, and routine outings will cost less over time using a hybrid model. Research shows that flexible workers can save employers up to $11,000 a year.
Common Concerns about Hybrid Work Model
Despite well-documented benefits, some employers remain skeptical about implementing the hybrid model. Unfortunately, 72% of companies have no detailed plan in place for a hybrid work model. And 76% don’t have any key performance indicators in place to measure their effectiveness. Your team likely wouldn’t be wowed by a lacklustre hybrid work model, either.
Of course, a hybrid workplace sounds daunting with no plans or measurements. If you’re in need of inspiration, consider these popular hybrid models. Find one that works well for your company.
How to Implement a Hybrid Work Model
The beauty of the hybrid work model is its flexibility. You can create a structure that works for your team. What works for one company or industry won’t work for another. Consider all the different ways you may implement a hybrid strategy for your company.
One big question you’ll have to answer is how often will employees and on-demand talent need to come to an office? There are a few common ways to structure the hybrid model:
Fixed – You as the employer set the days of the week when employees come in. Required office days could be Monday, Wednesday, and Friday for everyone in the company at once. Or your marketing team can come in on Tuesday and Thursday, while finance comes in Monday and Wednesday.
Flexible – Your team decides what days they come into the office. It might be recommended that they come into the office at least twice a week. They decide what two days they want to come in. They will likely coordinate their in-office days with their team to work on projects.
Office-First – It is the expectation that employees are in-office most days. But they have the option to work remotely one or two days a week. They choose the days they work remotely and notify their team.
Remote-First – Employees largely work from home. But they have an option to come into the office several days a week. You may not have a physical office space at all. So if employees want to meet up, they’ll have to do so in a coworking space or coffee shop.
If you’ve never done it, hybrid work seems daunting. But a hybrid workplace is your company’s commitment to a better work environment. There will be a few challenges to implementing the right hybrid work model.
No matter what your chosen frequency of remote work is, it’s important to keep culture at the top of mind. Make your team feel welcomed and heard. Commit to using transparent online communication tools no matter where they are.
Let Oomple Support Your New Work Model
If your company is geared towards the future of work, you’ll need freelancers to help you get there. On-demand professionals help fill in talent gaps. Once you implement your hybrid model, these freelancing professionals can help you ease into your new work model.
Oomple is a platform dedicated to connecting employers with highly skilled talent. Hiring hybrid freelancers has never been easier. The inquiry form allows you to choose freelancers who work on-site, hybrid, or remotely. Find a professional that works best for your working model and project. Don’t sweat the details of the job posting, either. You provide us with the details, and we’ll create the perfect job description for your next freelancer.
Book a call with one of Oomple’s account managers to discuss your hybrid job openings today!